St. Patrick's Day

Ryan, Steven (pictured) and I enjoyed a green beer and I made Cottage Pie (it's like Shepherd's Pie)! It was super good -- I finally got the recipe down...parsnips included!!

Tschüß!

Dinner with Mary

A few posts back, I mentioned a fabulous dinner with Mary at our house, followed by wine-induced iTunes searching (we rocked out to Shoop) and then a stumble to the Horseshoe for more...last night was her going away party at The Belmont and besides having a good time, I'm sad that she is leaving. I am super excited for her, but selfish because I miss her already. I'm glad she has reasons to come back, though, so I know we'll see her.

Conversatin'


Yummy Dr. Oetker Lava cakes

iTunes DWI (Downloading While Intoxicated)

We'll miss you Mary but good luck in Seattle!!

Tschüß!!

Still Sad

Ah, crap, I just got stuck on Tripadvisor looking at hotels in Europe. I should not do that because it makes me really sad because I want to not only go visit but BE there. The rational part of me KNOWS that the grass is greener on the other side; but how long until the green fades away? What if it takes 25 years? Wouldn't it be worth it?

Balancing investment between wanting it now isn't a new feeling for me. I remember opening my first 401k (and then draining it for our first house) over 10 years ago. And I've always been very good about putting money in it -- currently 10% with 5% matching! But, a new factor has been brewing ever since I turned 30. Age. Oh, I am not concerned about gray hair (not anymore) or wrinkles (not yet) and I have really, really enjoyed some of the maturity (don't laugh) that comes with the territory.

However, when embarking on a new journey (buying the front house) it resets the location commitment clock. Back to zero. Booked. Must stay to make the investment break even. Tied down. Mature choice with anxiety. If we commit five years to the property...then I'll be midway through my 30s (or at that time will I be thinking I'm nearing my 40s?) and...

OK, this is a travelogue -- not a chronicle of Scott's weekly existential crises.

So, Ryan and I were chatting last night over beers with Melissa and Rachel (at Mother Egans -- boy the beer was goooood) and Ryan threw out the idea of heading to Sante Fe for an extended weekend; our friends/realtors/accountants have a rental out there and it's supposed to be gorgeous. I like that idea, I need to get away. And all of our grand ideas of Europe or even Disney World are a little out of touch until this house thing is settled and we slip into our new financial regime.

Little trips. Sounds fun. My boss is pushing me to take vacation time (although the amount of work that spills onto our entire team is making that thought a bit fruitless). So, I think I need to start researching that. XJet, a newer airline in Austin, flies to Albuquerque and then it's an hour drive to Sante Fe. $217 per person for the flight! Hmmmmm I can taste the Hatch Green Chilis now....

Tschüß!!!!